Bin workers in Huddersfield who voted for all-out indefinite industrial action are awaiting approval from national bosses to start their strike.

And Paul Holmes, Kirklees branch secretary for Unison, has rejected suggestions that he is “stirring” the on-going stand-off between workers and Kirklees Council by creating a split with regional union colleagues.

“There is no split between us and regional officials. Absolutely not,” said Mr Holmes.

“Our decision was that we want to strike from October 1. We have made that request to the national union and followed up with a letter.

“I am still waiting on a response from the national union.”

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If the local branch receives that authorisation members will not need to ballot again for strike action.

Bin workers are required to give 14 days’ notice to their employer, Kirklees Council, before staging any walk-out.

Their preferred start date of October 1 is no longer achievable but Mr Holmes said workers are still geared up to begin industrial action next month.

Senior officers with the council have been working behind the scenes with regional officers with Unison to stave off strike action caused by discontent over working patterns, holiday entitlement and claims of harassment and bullying.

In a statement issued on Tuesday Karl Battersby, the council’s strategic director, economy and infrastructure sought to reassure residents across the borough that strike action wouldn’t go ahead.

Karl Battersby, Strategic Director for Economy and Infrastructure at Kirklees Council (Image: tm)

He said Unison staff did not have permission to hold a strike and that the council had secured an agreement with union joint secretaries that avoided any industrial action until the end of the month.

He added that work of dealing with workers’ concerns, such as the size of bin rounds, introducing extra crews, introducing agency worker support and allowing staff to sell back unused annual leave was almost complete.

“On that basis, I am confident that we can avoid further industrial action.

Conservative councillor Richard Smith, who was sharply critical of what he said was council leader Shabir Pandor’s lack of personal intervention in the stand-off, praised Mr Battersby’s work.

But he again called on Clr Pandor to do more.

“I am very concerned that there seems to be a determined effort by Unison at a local level to stir up more trouble.

“I again call upon Shabir Pandor to put aside whatever personal views he may hold as a member of Unison and to intervene.

“This dispute seems to run deeper than specific grievances and have a political element to it and as such the political leadership, as elected by the residents of Kirklees needs to do what he was elected to do.”